_A.M. 2990. B.C. 1014._ Christ answers the church's invitation, and shows her the delight he took in her fruit, Song of Solomon 5:1. She acknowledges her negligence to Christ in not opening the door, Song of Solomon 5:2. Of the harsh usage she met with, Song of Solomon 5:7. She tells the daughters... [ Continue Reading ]
_I am come into my garden_ This is the bridegroom's answer. _I have gathered my myrrh_, &c. I have eaten of my pleasant fruits; I have taken notice of, and delight in, the service and obedience of my people. _Eat, O friends_ Believers are here encouraged with freedom and cheerfulness to eat and drin... [ Continue Reading ]
_I sleep_ I was dull and sluggish; _but my heart waketh_ Yet in my very sleep my thoughts run upon my beloved. _It is the voice of my beloved_ Between sleeping and waking, I heard his voice; _that knocketh_ By his word, and providence, and Spirit, at the door of my heart; _saying, Open to me_ Inviti... [ Continue Reading ]
_I have put off my coat_ My day clothes, as persons use to do when they go to rest. _How shall I put it on?_ It is inconvenient and troublesome to do it at this time. _I have washed my feet_ Which the eastern people commonly did when they went to bed.... [ Continue Reading ]
_By the hole_ He assayed to open the door. When his word would not prevail, his Spirit, which is called _the finger of God_, (Luke 11:20,) wrought inwardly upon my conscience. _My bowels were moved_ With compassion for him and his sufferings, and with affection to him. _I rose_ I went forth to recei... [ Continue Reading ]
_My beloved had withdrawn_ Denied me his comfortable presence, as a just punishment for my former neglect. _My soul failed_ Hebrew, _went out_ of me. I fainted, and was ready to die away; _when he spake_ Or, _for what he spake;_ for those endearing expressions related Song of Solomon 5:2, which then... [ Continue Reading ]
_The watchman that went about the city_ The governors of the church, who, though by their place they are obliged to comfort the faithful, do frequently discourage them. _Found me_, and _smote me_ With bitter calumnies and persecutions. _The keepers of the walls_ The same with the watchmen, whose off... [ Continue Reading ]
_I charge you, O daughters_, &c. The church having passed the watchmen, proceeds in the pursuit of her beloved, and inquires of every particular believer, whom she meets, concerning him. _Tell him, that I am sick_, &c. That I am ready to faint for want of his presence. _What is thy beloved, &c., mor... [ Continue Reading ]
_My beloved is white and ruddy_ The _white_ may denote his pure and spotless innocence, and the _ruddy_ colour, his bloody passion. _His head is as the most fine gold_ It shines like gold, by reason of the crown of pure gold upon his head. We need not aim at a distinct application of this and the fo... [ Continue Reading ]
_His hands as gold rings set with beryl_ Beautiful and precious, and richly adorned, as it were, with gold rings set with precious stones; _his belly as bright ivory_ Which seems to be here used for the whole body, reaching from the neck to the bottom of the belly; _overlaid with sapphires_ Of a pur... [ Continue Reading ]